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- Tasks: Lead risk management for defence programmes, ensuring strategic alignment and informed decision-making.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on enhancing Defence capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and supports all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence by managing risks and opportunities effectively.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in risk management within regulated environments and strong analytical skills.
Rate: £450 - £500/day (Outside IR35)
Location: Bristol/Andover
Travel: 2 days per week mandatory at the client site (travel expenses are not reimbursed)
Clearance: Active SC clearance required
Length: Initial 3 months
We are seeking a senior Risk Manager to lead programme-wide risk and opportunity management, ensuring alignment with HM and MOD governance frameworks. This role goes beyond traditional risk reporting, positioning the Risk Manager as a trusted advisor to Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Programme Boards, and assurance bodies, enabling risk-informed decision-making, shaping strategic trade-offs, and ensuring both threats and opportunities are actively managed to protect and enhance Defence capability outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Risk Management Strategy & Planning: Develop, implement, and continuously refine the Programme Risk Management Strategy and Risk Management Plan, aligned to NAD, MOD, and HMG best practice. Define risk appetite, tolerance, thresholds, and escalation frameworks across project, programme, and portfolio levels. Ensure integration of risk management into overall programme governance, planning, and delivery lifecycle.
- Threat & Opportunity (Upside Risk) Management: Lead proactive identification and management of both threats and opportunities, ensuring balanced consideration of risk and value. Embed opportunity management practices to maximise programme benefits and outcomes. Align risk and opportunity management with benefits realisation and Defence capability delivery, not just milestones.
- Risk-Informed Decision Making: Act as a trusted advisor to SROs and Programme Boards, providing clear analysis of risks, opportunities, and trade-offs. Present decision options with associated impacts on cost, schedule, performance, and operational outcomes. Support informed decision-making through evidence-based insights and scenario analysis.
- Schedule Threshold Management & Escalation: Define and manage risk thresholds and escalation triggers, including schedule, cost, and performance tolerances. Monitor delivery against thresholds and ensure timely escalation from project to programme and portfolio governance levels. Provide early warning of risks that may impact critical paths, approvals, or operational readiness.
- Tooling & Quantitative Risk Analysis: Lead the use of Active Risk Manager (ARM) and Predict! (or equivalent) to manage risk data, reporting, and analysis. Deliver quantitative risk analysis (QRA), including schedule and cost risk modelling where appropriate. Ensure data quality, consistency, and auditability across all risk artefacts.
- Commercial & Contractual Risk Integration: Integrate risk management with commercial strategies, supplier performance, and contractual frameworks. Identify and manage risks associated with multi-vendor delivery environments, including misaligned incentives and dependencies. Support commercial teams in embedding risk considerations into procurement and supplier management.
- Security, Accreditation & Cyber Risk: Lead management of security, accreditation, and cyber risks as core programme risk domains. Ensure alignment with Defence security policies, accreditation requirements, and cyber assurance processes. Provide visibility and escalation of risks impacting authority to operate and operational deployment.
- Governance, Assurance & Independent Challenge: Maintain comprehensive and auditable risk registers and RAID logs across programme levels. Provide high-quality reporting to Programme Boards, SROs, and assurance bodies (e.g., IPA, Cabinet Office). Exercise independent challenge, ensuring risks are accurately represented and not understated. Escalate material concerns without compromise, ensuring transparency and integrity in reporting.
Requirements
- Essential: Proven experience as a Risk Manager within Defence, government, or large-scale regulated environments. Demonstrated experience developing Risk Management Strategies and Plans. Hands-on experience with Active Risk Manager (ARM), Predict!, or equivalent tools. Experience delivering quantitative risk analysis (QRA), including schedule and/or cost modelling. Strong understanding of commercial, supplier, and multi-vendor risk environments.
Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
SC Cleared - Outside IR35 - Risk Manager in Bristol employer: Sanderson
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SC Cleared - Outside IR35 - Risk Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Sometimes, it's all about who you know, so don't be shy about asking for introductions or advice.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their risk management strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine as the trusted advisor they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate your experience with risk management and how you've tackled challenges in the past. Make it engaging and relevant to the role, showing them why you're the best fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process, so take advantage of our resources and guidance.
We think you need these skills to ace SC Cleared - Outside IR35 - Risk Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in risk management, especially within Defence or regulated environments. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the role!
Showcase Your Tools Experience: Mention your hands-on experience with tools like Active Risk Manager (ARM) or Predict!. We’re keen to know how you’ve used these tools to manage risks effectively in past projects.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and responsibilities.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson
✨Know Your Risk Management Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest risk management strategies and frameworks relevant to Defence and government. Brush up on your knowledge of HM and MOD governance frameworks, as you'll need to demonstrate how you can align with these during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with quantitative risk analysis and tools like Active Risk Manager (ARM) or Predict!. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used data to inform decision-making and manage risks effectively in previous roles.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Highlight your ability to act as a trusted advisor to Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) and Programme Boards. Think about how you can present complex risk scenarios clearly and how your insights have shaped strategic decisions in past projects.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you’ll need to identify risks, propose mitigation strategies, and discuss potential impacts on cost, schedule, and performance. Practising these scenarios will help you feel more confident during the interview.